LETTER: HPV vaccine saves lives

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women. In 2007, 11,500 women in the United States developed cervical cancer and 3,600 died.

The women developed this cancer from the human papillomavirus. The death rate could have been reduced with the vaccine known as Gardasil. Although there are numerous strains of HPV, Gardasil protects against types 6, 11, 16 and 18.

Many misconceptions regarding the usefulness and effectiveness of vaccines may prevent parents from immunizing their child or the young adult being immunized. To be effective the vaccine should be given to girls ages 11-12 and sexually active women up to age 26 who have not contracted HPV.

The vaccine is a three-dose regimen that takes place over six months. The vaccine works by releasing neutral antibodies that bind to the HPV to prevent infection, thus preventing cancer. The common side effects are mild: pain at the injection site, nausea, dizziness and fever.

HPV is very common and is transmitted through sexual contact. As The New York Times reported, 79 million people in their late teens to early 20s are infected.

A study on girls ages 14-19 in 2010 showed infection from viral cancer strains decreased to 3.6 percent from 7.2 percent in 2006. The vaccine has demonstrated effectiveness by decreasing HPV rates over this four-year period.

Although the incidence of HPV continues to drop, females should still continue to protect themselves by practicing the following: the use of a contraceptives, annual Papanicolaou (Pap) screenings, and education. The goal is to prevent the spread of HPV.